Basic PCB shielding cans provide low-cost solutions to many RF/EMI shielding requirements. Basic cans may incorporate engagement tabs, trace/component relief, tuning/access openings, thermal relief, and can be built to nonstandard shapes as required. In cases where irregular shapes produce undesirable openings, inserts can be resistance welded into place. Corner seams can be resistance welded with the addition of internal flanges to increase performance. Typical cans, however, do not allow for the removal of the shield for rework, since they are usually soldered directly to the PCB. But when used in conjunction with surface mounted clips, basic cans can be removed and re-installed to provide access for rework and test requirements.

Single-cavity Shield Sets

In cases where a more significant degree of access is required, a single-cavity fence with a removable cover is recommended. Such fence and cover packages are designed to shield a single circuit area, with the fence soldered directly to the PCB, and a cover that can be removed and re-installed as required. Single-cavity sets usually incorporate many product features and can be built in a wide range of footprint sizes and package heights. Versatile solutions providing unrestricted access and effective shielding performance for just about any circuit.

Multi-cavity Shield Sets

To scale down the physical size and cost of a product, multi-cavity shields are often utilized to bring together a number of single-cavity shields, which reduces the overall cost and footprint of the metalwork. Due to the complex nature of such designs and the related circuitry, multi-cavity designs have removable covers to allow access, and a wide cross-section of supporting features such as engagement tabs, trace/component relief, thermal relief, connectors, etc. It is possible to build multi-cavity fence sets assembled from dozens of discreet components and having a proportionate number of cavities, opening up a world of design possibilities.

3Gmetalworx remains the industry leader in true multi-cavity solutions, and we continue to push the boundaries of complexity in multi-cavity design. Our proprietary assembly process results in a robust and accurate shield, easily handled and assembled to the PCB, and providing superior shielding performance as the result. The most sophisticated applications often use a multi-cavity shield from 3Gmetalworx to comprehensively address shielding needs.